Interested in making a change in your community? One of the best places to volunteer may be right near you– an animal shelter. There are numerous ways that your kids can help homeless pets at Young-Williams Animal Center. Volunteering is a wonderful way to learn, have fun and give back to your community. At YWAC, you must be 16 years or older to work with or around animals on-site, but there are many other means of actively getting involved.Read more →

It’s a question many parents face – whether or not to get a pet. Before you decide against it, realize there is a happy medium. Children of any age can help homeless pets in a Young-Williams’ Animal Center program that teaches selflessness and empathy. Your child also will learn how to make a difference for a nonprofit organization.

Adoption Ambassadors is a shelter program that is similar to foster care but goes a step further. Read more →

Pet owners face many day-to-day decisions that affect the health and welfare of the animals they love. What kind of food is best? How much food? What kind of exercise will be most beneficial? However, the most important decision pet owners face affects not only the pet, but the community as well. Read more →

Your child has been asking for a new puppy for months. Now Christmas is coming and ‘new puppy’ is at the top of her wish list for Santa. Images of your child squealing with delight upon discovering a cute, cuddly puppy under the tree dance through your head. As a parent you’d love nothing more than to make her Christmas wish come true, but is it a good idea? Read more →

Although Wiley can’t talk, the lively Border collie shows her gratitude in her own way. Her tail wags continuously and her brown eyes sparkle. If she could talk, Wiley would tell you that this Thanksgiving season she has much for which to be thankful.

Wiley first came to Young-Williams Animal Center as a stray in October of 2014. The 5-year-old collie was extremely malnourished and covered in ticks. She walked with a bad limp to protect her right front leg which was clearly causing her a great deal of pain. An X-ray showed the leg was broken but with medical care, rest, and rehabilitation, she would be fine. Read more →

“You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover” is a common phrase used to teach children not to prejudge or discriminate against a person because of their looks.The lesson applies to many things, including dog breeds like pit bulls.Because of the numerous misconceptions about pit bulls, people unfamiliar with the breed fall prey to stereotypes that are as unfair and untrue as racial stereotypes.Read more →

Most families with pets will at some point experience the anguish of a missing pet. When the unthinkable happens, parents need to remain calm as they map out a plan for finding the pet. Ideally, every person in the family should be recruited to help. Read more →

By Jeff Ashin, CEO, Young-Williams Animal Center

Pets are great for kids and pet adoption from a shelter or rescue group teaches children important lessons that will last throughout their lives. As a pet owner, a child learns discipline and responsibility. Through pet adoption, a child gains insight into social responsibility, community service, compassionate care of animals and so much more.